Teaching today is becoming more challenging than it was years ago. The volume of new technology that is churned into the web everyday is inundating to say the least. The teacher is expected to change the practice of teaching to accommodate all these changes. Changes however is not so easy for several reasons:
One, The nature of man is reluctant to change. secondly, Educational administrators that are demanding a change from teachers are not backing up request with necessary finance and training. The few circumstances that the technology is available are constrained by the rigid curriculum. In it all, teachers are not necessarily the best paid around but more demands are being made on them. This of course puts a stress on teachers. What the future holds for teachers in all this is a food for thought. The students that we are to teach are already estranged as their hearts have been sold to emerging technology.
Considering the demands you list and the ones you don't, it is amazing to me how many people still believe that we are unskilled labor. My wife has a friend who truly believes that teachers are worthless and lazy. I admit, I did not have the respect for teachers that I have now being a member of the profession. It would be wonderful for everyone who believes as my wife's friend does to spend a day as a teacher and see how worthless we really are.
ReplyDeleteIt is an irony that teachers are the only ones that are held accountable for the inability of many children today to get relevant education. The parents and society that benefit directly from the product teachers don't think about any role they can play other than teachers policemen. It is convenient for them to look at the school hours and the long vacation as period of unearned paycheck. As a teacher, I know better. Hours after school is closed, are spent grading and preparing for the next day. The long vacation is spent in in-service training. Let the likes of your wife's friend keep their opinion, posterity will vindicate us. Meanwhile, let us get happiness that we have the opportunity to cover up the failure of the home and society to a large extent by what we do or do not.
ReplyDeleteWell said.
ReplyDelete